Interview Wyrmhaven

Discover the emotional journey behind Wyrmhaven's upcoming album 'Midnight Altar,' delving into themes of acceptance and grief, and the band's evolution in the melodic death metal scene.

1. Can you tell us more about the inspiration behind your upcoming album "Midnight Altar," especially considering its emotional connection to vocalist Steve Naemark's father's passing?

Our single, "Midnight Altar" is inspired by finding acceptance in grief. Acceptance is the closest feeling we can get to closure when grieving the deaths of those closest to us, and this song was written as I felt the first wave of acceptance for my father's passing. My father and I were very close, and this song is a tribute as much as it is a memorial. The lyrics are deeply personal and they pull back a curtain for the listener to connect with raw, honest emotion. -Steve

2. How has the writing process for "Midnight Altar" differed from your previous releases like "Sacred Grove" and "Delirium"?
When we wrote the songs for what would become Delirium, we weren’t writing with the assumption that we would be releasing them, or starting a band. It was just three friends hanging out writing riffs in a living room. Sacred Grove and Midnight Altar are the first two songs we’ve written as a full band with the purpose of being released. What came out is the result of more collaboration overall and attention to every detail. - Keith

3. What themes or messages can listeners expect to encounter in your new album, both lyrically and musically?

Lyrically, most of the songs are rooted in occult and ancient mysticism beliefs. The lyrics I write are meant to connect the listener with the aspects of the human experience that don't change over time. For example, the relationship between greed, lust, and corruption is a common theme through mankind's history and the song "Corruptoris" on our upcoming album explores that concept. -Steve

I think what you should expect musically would be a combination of an ode to old school metal and hardcore mixed with the modern spin we are somehow adding to all of this. Wyrmhaven has never been a band that has had to think about what we are writing, we kind of just go with the flow. That's really what makes this band so fun, because we can basically take a riff that nick will write and turn it into anything we really want to feel or portray. I could be pissed off one day and suddenly write the most beautifully angry song off of one of nicks riffs and that will turn into one of the most epic ballads. It's crazy like that. - Stephen

4. How has your sound evolved since the release of your last EP in 2020, and what can fans anticipate from your upcoming full-length album?

Our sound has almost completely changed from the EP. I think since we are taking a different approach from how we actually wrote and recorded the EP, it's making the new songs kind of evolve into this crazy thing that it is, in a way, changing our sound and making it an ever changing entity. The first EP was like a perfect storm of a lot of things that came together at once and we are definitely happy it happened, however all of us have grown as musicians and feel that it's time to take this to a new level which is what's evolving to be this new record we are currently working on. - Stephen

5. Could you share some insights into your creative collaborations, such as working with Ryan Bram at Homewrecker Studios and Dave Kamisnky for mixing?
Our friends Matt and Eric from Gatecreeper recommended us to work with Ryan at Homewrecker studios. He has a stellar catalog and a top notch recording engineer. We had a blast recording at Homewrecker. Ryan made us feel very comfortable, ensured we were taken care of, and made sure we got the best tones possible. Ryan also had some sick ideas that we used in the songs as well. He also has a secret sauce of an amp, so if you want to know what that is. Go hit him up!!! Working with Dave has been amazing. We got connected through Ryan Williams via e-mail, and a great friendship started from there. His attention to detail, and how much he cares for what he puts out is second to none. Dave has kept in touch with us throughout the writing process, checking in just to say Hello, while working on killer records like the one Fires in the distance recently put out. I cannot speak highly enough of Dave Kaminsky. The metal world needs to know his name. I cannot speak highly enough of Both Ryan and Dave. Ryan Williams also mastered our singles, and the dude is top notch. I was incredibly happy to have met him when we place in Los Angeles last year, and I hope we get to hang out again. - Nick

6. What challenges did you face during the recording and production of "Midnight Altar," and how did you overcome them?
The biggest challenge we faced with the recording process of Midnight Altar was making sure that we got it done within the timeframe we gave ourselves. We booked a weekend with the esteemed Ryan Bram at Homewrecker studios in Tucson, AZ with the goal of getting Sacred Grove and Midnight Altar recorded within those two days. Ultimately we were able to make this happen and we sent the songs to Dave Kaminski at Studio Wyrmwood in North Carolina to be mixed. After Dave finished with mastering, he sent the tracks to Ryan Williams for mastering. This team was the perfect trifecta for us and for these songs. We cannot speak highly enough of these individuals and the work they do. - Keith

7. With your upcoming performance at AZ Desert DeathFest 2024, how do you prepare for live shows, and what can audiences expect from your set?
Basically, our main preparation would be the obvious which is play the songs over and over. Our main focus is to bring some of the most detailed, thought provoking metal to the ears of anyone that wants to listen. We methodically try to make a set list work in a way that is like a roller coaster when you're in the crowd listening. You're expected to hear some good old fashioned metal mixed with some modern finesse of the genre which is sure to move anyone. We are always excited for the opportunity of a live setting. - Stephen

8. As a Melodic Death Metal band, how do you balance the intensity of your music with the emotional depth of your lyrics?

We have great chemistry as a band, and all five of us lock ourselves in a room together to write music. All of our songs evolve in such a unique way, the balance between the music and message in the lyrics is found along the way. Every song on this album has it's own story and journey attached to it. -Steve

9. Are there any specific tracks from "Midnight Altar" that hold a special significance for the band or have unique stories behind their creation?

The two singles we have released are both significant, but Midnight Altar takes the title as the most personal track on the entire album. Our first single, "Sacred Grove" is about feeling like a worthless burden to those you care about. It is about the desperation felt by someone that wants to avoid being perceived as a failure. While that message is personal and deep, "Midnight Altar" is tied to a very specific moment in time. The connection really magnifies the intensity of the emotions expressed. -Steve

10. How do you see the Melodic Death Metal scene evolving, and where do you think Wyrmhaven fits within that evolution?
This is a tricky question. I absolutely love the genre. There's something to be said about a heavy song that is driven with an amazing song structure, melodies, and memorable riffs. A hook that brings it all together as well. I feel like you will start seeing a resurgence in Melodic Death sooner rather than later. I see the scene evolving by having bands paying homage to the bands that made the genre what it is, but also adding those hardcore elements to keep the crowd moving. Having those sick off time signatures to add a little spice in the songs. Having those memorable hooks still, while keeping the song heavy and relentless. I feel like melodic death metal is a beautiful chaos. Maybe that's just how I feel about wyrmhaven. When I think of melodic death metal, I think of all the greats, and how I want to pay my respects to the In Flames, the At the gates, The Black Dahlia Murder, and so many more. How do I respect the ones before us, while adding my twist to it. I just hope we get an opportunity to prove our worth, and to prove that we can fit in the scene. - Nick

11. Lastly, what are your future plans after the release of "Midnight Altar," and are there any collaborations or projects on the horizon that you're excited about?

We are really looking forward to the release of Midnight Altar, but beyond that, we are currently focused on finishing the writing process for our first full length album. We are incredibly excited to get back into the studio soon and be able to share with everyone the next phase of Wyrmhaven. In terms of collaborations on the horizon, you never know. We are always open to working with our friends and other bands to push boundaries in order to create something unique. We may have a few surprises up our sleeves with this next release so we’ll have to see how things play out, but we’re definitely looking forward to it. - Keith